Detective Amanda Steele is investigating a case where a young girl in a ballerina dress is laid on display on a carousel. With help from Detective Trent Stenson, her partner they take over the case from the local police. This is not the first young girl dressed like this that went missing. Amanda's friend Katherine was on a case like this, never solved. Then another girl is missing. Can there be a different ending this time? I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Nonstop suspense and action is synonymous with Carolyn Arnold's Detective Amanda Steel series! The fourteenth book in the series is no less a hit than all of the rest as Amanda races against time to find a killer who is hunting little girls. The plot is well detailed and developed and brings a familiar face back into the team fold as Katherine Graves tries to help put the case that haunted her back in NYC to rest. Action packed and easy to follow, I was hooked from start to finish. I love this series so much ... I only wish Amanda and Trent would stop fighting their feelings for each other already! Highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a crime filled plot with dedicated cops on the case that don't give up until they catch their bad guy!

The title of this book in and of itself is chilling. So, as is usual for this author, the creep factor is high. That is to be expected when there is a depraved killer on the loose who preys on little girls.

Police procedurals are this author's forte, and once again she has exceeded my expectations. The pacing is perfect ad the suspense and intrigue are on par as well as they search for an unknown killer. I was fully invested and engaged in this book from the Prologue. I wanted justice for these little girls, and who better to mete out justice than two of my favorite crime fighters, Amanda Steele and Trent Stenson.

Amanda is all about justice for all. She is observant, highly intelligent, fearless and also sensitive. She has suffered loss herself, so she can relate well to victim's families. Trent grounds Amanda, especially if she is getting ready to go off the deep end. They are the perfect partners.

I also enjoy that we get to see inside the personal lives of these characters. In a series like this, I enjoy getting to know the characters on a personal level as well as the professional level. It makes them more realistic.

Amanda has a joyful breakthrough in her relationship with her adopted daughter, Zoe, which made my heart sing.

If you are looking for a well-written police procedural which also includes a cast of characters that you will love, you have found the perfect book and the perfect series. The ending was both awesome and satisfying. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

For some reason my brain skipped the 4 so I thought this was book 1 in a series which is completely on me. I didn't struggle to catch up with who was who and how everyone fit together though which was great. I thought it was a solid book that kept me gripped and entertained and had a good cliff hanger at the end making me want to read the next book int he series when it come out.

Book 14 in the brilliant Detective Amanda Steele series.

This book really tears at your heartstrings. Who would want to harm innocent little girls? It's down to Amanda and her partner Trent to find out before it happens again. I loved this book and look forward to reading more.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Three Girls Gone’, book 14 in the Detective Amanda Steele series written by Carolyn Arnold, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Detectives Amanda Steele and Trent Stenson are called out when the body of a six-year-old girl Hailey Tanner is found on a carousel in Heroes Memorial Park. Hailey disappeared from her ballet class three days earlier and when found was wearing a pink tutu that had a note stitched inside blaming Katherine Graves for getting too close. Although no longer a police officer, Katherine has been privately investigating the similar death of Julie Gilbert who died eleven years ago. When a third child goes missing, Amanda knows she’ll do anything to bring the child home alive to her parents.

‘Three Girls Gone’ is a powerfully addictive police thriller that’s had me hooked from page one and unable to stop reading. With its action-packed plot, suspense, drama and heart-in-the-mouth twists, it’s become more involving the further I’ve got into the story making me unable to stop reading until I’ve got to the final page which has been midnight. Carolyn Arnold is a very talented author and as soon as her new thriller is published I can’t wait to read it and find out more about her family and friends. This has been a fantastic book that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and I keep hoping Amanda and Trent’s friendship will grow into something more but I’ll just have to wait and see what happens in book 15. Thank you, Carolyn, this has been a brilliant thriller that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and can wholeheartedly recommend.

Book 14 in the series and it’s just getting more exciting! When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. Could the killer have been close to her?
As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation. Overall 4 stars

Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold is an excellent, very highly recommended police procedural. Even though this is the fourteenth novel in the Detective Amanda Steele series, there is enough backstory to easily read it as a standalone. Arnold writes great procedurals.

The body of six-year-old Hailey Tanner is found dressed in a pink ballerina tutu on the carousel in a local park. Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Trent Stenson rush to the scene and begin the investigation. They learn that Hailey wasn't picked up after dance class after her nanny received a phone call saying Hailey's mother would be picking her up. While searching her room at the family home, Amanda discovers one of Hailey's tutus and a pair of slippers have been taken from the home. It is clear that her abduction was carefully planned.

It also becomes increasingly similar to the Julie Gilbert, a child abduction and murder case from twelve years ago. Katherine Graves, Amanda's former colleague, is still conducting her own, private investigation into this case. A note is found that ties Hailey's murder to Katherine's investigation of the Gilbert case, so she joins them to share her discoveries.

This is an excellent, very well written, fast-paced police procedural that carefully follows clues and discoveries. The tension increases with each new discovery as the plot logically leads Amanda and Trent to new suspects, lines of inquiry, and revelations. Both Amanda and Trent are intelligent, fully realized characters, and it is always a pleasure to see them investigate a case.

Three Girls Gone is a well-written, fast-paced, engaging, intelligent police procedural which will hold your attention from start to finish. This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation.
The fourteenth outing for Amanda & Trent & another well written page turner. I was drawn in from the start & my interest held throughout. The book could easily be read on its own but I love how Amanda & Trent work together but also how their relationship has evolved throughout the series. There are twists, turns & surprises, which kept the pages flying by & I read it in a couple of sittings & I look forward to more in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Once again Carolyn Arnold has provided readers with a suspenseful and heart-pounding story. The fourteenth book in the Detective Amanda Steele series, Three Girls Gone, combines a mystery, a police procedural, and the lives of the main and secondary characters into a powerful storyline that packs a punch.

When the body of six-year-old Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Steele and her partner Trent Stenson rush to the chilling scene. They confirm with the parents that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. A search in Hailey’s room reveals that some ballet clothing has been removed. Could the killer be someone close to her or was there an intruder?

As the investigation continues, they’re reminded of a similar case in New York that was similarly murdered twelve years ago. A former colleague, Katherine Graves, who had moved from New York to Virginia always wanted to close that previous case and continued to work it in her spare time.

Amanda is determined to get justice for victims and tends to get immediately to the point at a crime scene which doesn’t endear her to a new crime scene technician. She’s sensitive but not soft, inquisitive, resilient, struggles with work-life balance, and tends to rush ahead without back-up at times. She also fears overlooking some crucial detail in a case. Stenson is loyal, funny, and always has Amanda’s back. He grounds her when she needs it and is often the voice of reason. He values honesty and views work as a calling, not a day job.

The author does a great job of making the reader feel engaged from start to finish. A chilling prologue and great writing quickly pulled me into the story. There are several suspects, a few twists, some action scenes near the end, and a solid plot. The recurring characters grow more dynamic in each new novel as readers learn more about their personal and professional lives. Themes include families, relationships, child abuse, kidnapping, murder, and much more.

While this story is mainly centered on the investigation and Steele’s personal life, there is plenty of suspense and action in the second half of the novel. It was also interesting to see how focused on the public optics of the investigation the chief of police was. My biggest quibble is Steele’s tendency to get in trouble and need rescuing when she doesn’t take back-up with her as well as the ongoing saga between Steele and Stenson that never gets resolved.

Overall, this is a clever and fast-paced mystery with great characterization and some heart-breaking moments as well as some heart-warming scenes. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Steele and Stenson. This series is best read in order to fully understand the backstories of the main characters. However, it would also work as a standalone. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy mysteries, crime thrillers, and police procedurals.

Bookouture and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 27, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

In this gripping thriller, detectives Amanda and Trent must race against time to solve the brutal murder of a young girl.
It's part of a series, but is easily read as a standalone.
The investigation takes an unexpected turn when ex-police officer Katherine becomes the focus of our killer.
Is this linked to a previous, similar abduction and killing of a child?
The characters are at the heart of this book; Amanda is a fantastic protagonist, tenacious and empathetic, while her partnership with Trent crackles with an understated emotional connection.
The book is well paced, revealing layers of character and plot with each turn of the page.
The ending is tied up as neatly as a pair of ballet shoes in a box.
This is a must-read for crime fiction fans, a perfect entry point to a brilliant series.

Really keeps you guessing!🤔

4-4.5🌟
Definitely suspenseful and there was no way I was figuring out the abductor/killer until the last chapters. When the victims are innocent young children it's always a more emotional read and this one had grieving parents galore, including one of the investigators. Amanda's tragic loss of family, including a daughter, in a car accident also adds just that edge to her dedication to stop a killer tearing other families apart.

The long gap between Julie's and the next abduction seemed odd considering how this killer eventually reveals motive, etc. I was just not convinced I had the full story. Still, a good read.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 8/14/25 on Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM.

Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold is the 14th book in her fabulous Detective Amanda Steele series. Refresher: As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another fantastic addition. Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia.

A young girl is found dead, and her body is dressed in a ballerina tutu. Amanda and her partner, Trent, are on the case; which was previously under the jurisdiction of the Missing Persons Dept. Amanda is a strong protagonist who navigates the web of grief, suspicion, and danger as she investigates the tragic murder of Hailey Tanner.

The six-year-old girl, who was missing, has now been found murdered on a carousel in the park. In a short time, clues will lead them to their friend Katherine, who is a retired cop at NYPD. They discover a connection with a twelve-year-old case in which another child was taken and murdered. Katherine was in charge of the case 12 years ago, which still haunts her, and the new similarities are very close to the cold case, and Amanda manages to get authority for Katherine to help find who was the killer 12 years ago, and the girl just murdered.

Amanda, Trent and Katherine work together to try and connect the murder years ago, and finding clues to the 6 years old girl’s death; as both cases were very similar. Another girl goes missing, with all of them determined to find the clues, before the third girl is killed. Can they find third girl before it’s too late.

Three Girls Gone is an addictive thriller from start to finish: the suspense and emotion is intense throughout. Three Girls Gone is an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful, compelling, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was another fantastic thriller. This was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end. Three Girls Gone was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Another great case for Amanda Steele. Love this series and to see what Trent and her get up to next. Plenty of twists and turns and suspense to keep me hooked. Well rounded characters and plenty of backstory. Great writing style. Eagerly awaiting the next adventure.

A great detective style book, I enjoyed the mc and her relationship with other officers. There were some twists and turns but the overall reveal could’ve been more shocking. I enjoyed the intensity build in some chapters leaving me gripped to keep reading. I feel the blurb gives away too much of the story, so I’m glad I didn’t re-read it before starting the book.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the ARC.

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story starts with abduction of Hailey Tanner, a 6 year old girl. It then follows with Amanda and Trent going to a scene where a young girl has been found dead. This turns out to be Hailey and there is little evidence available. At the autopsy, a note is discovered and it points to the killing of Julia that happened earlier which bore similarities and tied it back to when Katherine was a police officer in NYC. Since there was a correlation between the two crimes, Katherine was brought on to act as a consultant since they believed the same individual was the killer. They didn't really gather info until a 3rd girl was taken and it was only then that things began to click.

Follow the story and discover the steps that the team took and what information eventually brought the case to a conclusion.

The ending will answer all questions.

The book is another great story in the series and is well worth reading, don't miss out!

Fast paced murder investigation as Amanda and Trent look into a murder that has with possible links to an old case. As time is running out for a possible third victim, the duo and colleagues try to sort through an abundance of dead ends and new leads to solve the case, which has an unexpected twist for Amanda’s friend Katherine who worked the original case. Tensions are high, and the author draws you right in to the thick of the investigative process and you do not want to put the book down until the end.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley but voluntarily leave this review.

Title: Three Girls Gone
Author: Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele Book #14
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: August 27, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 356

This is Book #14 in this series and my first! ~ Yikes! How have I missed this author? She is compared to so many of the authors I already follow. I did read some reviews to get a back story – so I know~.
Detective Amanda Steele is a working single mother who loves her daughter but also loves her job. She is passionate about both and usually rushes fiercely in waiting. Her partner Trent is just as intense, but a little more laid back.
In this story the relationship between the two has shifted, both in their private and professional lives. Trent is now living with his girlfriend, Kelsey. This leaves Amanda struggling to put on a positive face about her feelings for him.…does she really want a relationship with him, or does she just not want anyone else to have his attention?

This prologue starts this story where a six year-old child is abduction and the plan is to kill her.
Having a nine year- old daughter Zoe, this case is personal for Amanda.

At first I wasn’t sure this was going to work for me as we know from the title there are going to be two more little girls taken. However, Carolyn Arnold is a great storyteller and she kept me curious.
In addition to Amanda and Trent, Katherine Graves come out of retirement to help with the investigation and it later turns out she sort of knows the killer.

Yes as predicted two more girls are kidnapped. Julie Gilbert is later found dead and then when Eloise Maynard is abducted the team is determined to find the killer before anything happens to Eloise.
I got to the point in this story that I could not put it down.

I am bow looking forward to the next Amanda Steele thriller.

I want to Thank NetGalley and the awesome team at Bookouture for this early eGalley.
Pub date scheduled for August 27, 2025.

I enjoyed this book very much! The characters are easy to connect with and the writing was done very well!

A fast paced suspense filled crime thriller which keeps you guessing right to the satisfying ending. Although part of a very good series featuring Detective Amanda Steele, this can easily be read on it's own. I like the characterisation, especially Trent, and the plotting centres around the murder of a young girl as the team race to find the killer. Another good, steady read in a very good series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.